Brooklin family combines talents to support the troops

Benefit concert raises thousands for community initiatives

Brooklin family combines talents to support the troops

Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland

BROOKLIN -- North Ward Councillor Tracy Hanson, her sons Alex and Kenz, and her husband Rob held a Remembrance Day tribute concert last month called Entertaining the Troops. They managed to raise $3,000, which will be donated to community initiatives, including the Whitby and Brooklin Legions. December 16, 2012.

WHITBY -- It was a night to remember as a group of talented performers from across the region took the stage last month to show off their skills for a worthy cause.

Entertaining the Troops, a benefit concert held in Whitby on Nov. 10 as part of local Remembrance Day activities, not only entertained an audience of 150 people, but managed to raise more than $3,000 for local initiatives.

"We have the ability and the know-how of putting together a show but we wanted it to not just be about entertaining people but also come with a purpose and a meaning," says Whitby North Ward Councillor and Brooklin resident Tracy Hanson, who organized the event with her husband, Rob Hanson, and their sons, Alex, 19, and Kenz, 15.

Modeled after the troop entertainment made popular during the Second World War, the lineup featured a host of entertainers, including Dale Russell from The Guess Who, Canadian junior fiddle champion Emily Yarascavitch and the Brooklin United Church Choir, led by Jackie Crawford.

It's styled after the idea of what Bob Hope did ba

"I was looking to try and create a variety show so to have a bunch of different types of acts," says Mr. Hanson, a professional recording and sound engineer.

"It's styled after the idea of what Bob Hope did back in the 1940s going out to bring morale to the troops so the tone isn't sombre -- it's very much upbeat and light and it's all about entertainment."

In addition to the musical and comedy acts, the show kicked off with silent footage from the First World War and ended with the song, Highway of Heroes.

"The event really sort of embraces and crosses all generations and that's why we went with the idea of 'entertaining the troops,'" says Coun. Hanson.

"We wanted to create a variety show that pays tribute to our veterans in a really fun and energetic way and yet, there's a lot of reflection built into the show as well."

A family of art lovers -- all four were formerly involved in the Whitby Courthouse Theatre -- they each had their own important part to play in the show. Rob and Tracy produced the event while Alex hosted and performed and Kenz put his technical skills to use backstage.

"I grew up in a family that was always involved in the community so we've really tried to instill that in the boys," Coun. Hanson says.

About $2,500 will be donated to the Poppy funds of the Whitby and Brooklin Legions, helping veterans and their families meet a variety of needs including medical, dental and housing. The remaining amount will be split between the VandenBos Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron and Whitby's 226 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps.

"People are already talking about some of their favourite acts and asking us to make sure they come back next year," says Mr. Hanson, adding that a standout moment for the family was when they received a letter from a senior resident who had attended the event.

"She said it brought back memories of being in the 1940s and it meant a lot to her so it was really nice to get that kind of feedback -- it brought a tear to our eyes."

Durham musicians interested in joining the list of performers at next year's Entertaining the Troops event are encouraged to fill out a form on the website.